Helping Scottish Businesses Thrive

Rates Relief, Support for Enterprise & Attracting Investment

The SNP in government has been and will continue to be determined to back Scottish businesses to succeed, to bring investment into Scottish industries and to grow our economy. A report at the end of last year showed that business investment in Scotland has risen to a 20-year high - more than 10% of GDP - in contrast to a fall across the UK.

In 2025, Scotland secured a decade-long stretch as top UK Foreign Direct Investment location outside of London. Central to that achievement is the work of our enterprise agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank.

That is why the 2026-27 Scottish Budget delivered on the SNP commitment to invest £1 billion pounds in the Bank by the end of the parliamentary term, and keeps us on track to invest £2 billion over the first 10 years. This Budget will build on that progress, with a package of funding to support disadvantaged and under-represented young entrepreneurs, and support companies to scale-up.

For one thing, the small business bonus scheme, which removes the burden of rates from 100,000 properties – businesses like hairdressers, bakers, cafes that form the life blood of every community – will be continued for the next three years. The business environment in Scotland is also aided by the lowest business rates poundage in the UK and the most generous relief schemes.

In response to concerns in the business community about the recent revaluation, the SNP is reducing the Basic, Intermediate and Higher Property Rates, while also providing transitional relief worth £184 million over the next three years. The Scottish Government will provide 15% Non-Domestic Rates relief in 2026-27, and for each of the three years of the revaluation cycle, worth £138 million over three years for retail, hospitality and leisure premises liable for the Basic and Intermediate Property rate, capped at £110,000 per business per year.

In total, including the small business bonus, over 96% of retail, hospitality and leisure properties will pay zero or reduced rates. Together, this provides revaluation and retail, hospitality and leisure support worth £322 million over the next three years.

On top of all this, the SNP has also recently launched InvestScotland as a single online point of contact for global investors looking to participate in Scotland’s biggest projects and made a multi-year commitment made to Scottish EDGE awards, which have awarded more than £29 million to over 700 businesses since 2012.

These are just some of the ways the SNP has and will continue to support Scottish business and growth.